Our
sales associates have organized a bi-annual food drive for the past two years
to help the significant number of families who are food insecure across North
Carolina. Donations are collected through office fundraisers and donations from
clients, sales associates and staff. Canned goods and monetary donations are
accepted at all of the Pru Carolinas/Pru YSU/Pru Yost & Little offices
throughout NC during the month of October.

“Our
sales associates demonstrated their tremendous generosity and connection with
the communities they serve by helping to make these significant contributions
to our local food banks,” says Tommy Camp, President & CEO. “We look
forward to continuing our year-round food collection next April when we will
once again dedicate the entire month to collecting donations.”

During
their 2012 food drive focus, our sales associates received donations that will
provide a total of 50,645 meals for the year. Such a wonderful accomplishment!

November 14, 2012

November 12, 2012

10. Outdated shag carpet, printed wallpaper and bold paint
colors. Choosing to not upgrade the interior of your home is a major weak spot
for future offers. If you aren’t in the position to upgrade your home, be
prepared to offer a decorative allowance or to drop the price accordingly.

9.Difficult
to show. Always ensure that your home is in showing condition so
that you can give the go ahead at a moment’s notice. Using a centralized
showing service would also ensure that you can respond as quickly as possible
to a request for showing. Remember, if your house isn’t being viewed by anyone,
you won’t be selling it anytime soon.

8.Seller
interference. Enlist the help of a real estate agent. We tend to think that our homes are the most
beautiful and want to overshare our opinions with those who come for a showing.
Let your real estate agent do their job and take a back seat during this
critical part of the selling process.

7.Smell. If you smoke or own animals, you need to make
sure that your home is thoroughly cleaned before a showing. Tobacco smoke
sticks to furniture, tapestry and paint. So repaint your home, clean the drapes
and get the carpets and furniture cleaned. No matter how gorgeous your home is,
if it smells like Fluffy or a cigar shop, you won’t be getting any offers.

6.Clutter.
Not all of us can be perfectly clean and organized, but if you are showing your
home then you need to try your best. Removing clutter from the main living
areas can open up a home and improve the cleanliness factor. When someone views
a home they want to be able to picture themselves living there, so the less of
your personal belongings filing up the office and the breakfast nook, the
better.

5.No
curb appeal. First
impressions are the most important part of relationship building and that holds
true for real estate. If someone isn’t attracted to the outside of a home, what
is going to convince them to see the inside? Make sure you spend that extra
time and money to trim the bushes, plant some flowers and power wash the front
porch. That extra time spent is worth so much more than your home sitting on
the market for extra days. You never get a second first impression.

4.Dirt.
It should go without saying that if your home is dirty, it won’t be appealing. It
doesn’t have to be sterile, but the home should never show remnants of this morning’s
breakfast and yesterday’s muddy soccer cleats. Having to keep your home in tip
top shape for showings is a huge inconvenience, but the less time your home is
on the market the less time you have to spend cleaning every day.

3.Disrepair.
Your home should be in sound condition, if not for safety then for appearance.
Anything that you try to let slide during the selling process will more than
likely be found during the final inspection, so save you and your future home
buyers some headaches and take the time to ensure that all necessary repairs
have been made.

2.Location.
Unfortunately, we aren’t all able to live in gated communities or out in the peaceful
country. But if your home is in a high traffic/high crime area, don’t price it
like it is in a Green Acres. Be realistic to the location and desire of your
home so you can price accordingly.

1. Price.
Keep up with current market trends in your area so that you don’t shoot
yourself in the foot with a bad price. Get a conservative appraisal instead of
pricing with high hopes. No one will ever buy their dream home if the price isn’t
right.

November 09, 2012

As the winter months are fast approaching and we start to slow down for hibernation, our thoughts about what the garden will look like in the spring and summer completely evaporate. We can't bear spending a chilly 40 degree morning replanting shrubs and summer foliage.

But, it doesn't have to be that hard!

If you plant these flowering trees before the weather months set it, your spring and summer gardens will be thanking you.

November 06, 2012

As a first-time real estate buyer, you probably have no idea how the overall purchasing process works or how to make sure you’re making a smart decision to purchase. And you’ll probably be very surprised to learn how much work it really is just to buy a home. To get you started in the right direction, and this is just a start, here are a few tips that you should consider.

Taking advantage of the real estate market? If you are thinking about making your first home purchase, read through these suggestions to make sure you are as prepared as you should be come closing day.

October 26, 2012

Everyone loves a good festival to get you in the mood for
the seasons changing and upcoming holidays. We would say, even more so in
the fall than the spring. Apple cider, chilly air and decorative gourds excite
your senses while wishing a wonderful summer farewell.

You know we are huge fans of our North Carolina
festivals, so here is a list of some great opportunities for your family to
join this upcoming weekend.

Starting at 10 a.m. with live music, good food and good
beer you won’t want to miss out! There is a
5k that beings at 8 a.m. as well and a great children’s area with activities
like face painting and magic shows to help keep your little ones entertained.

Everyone knows us North Carolinians love some good B-B-Q
and why not celebrate that by chowing down on some of the best pork this side
of the Mississippi. Pig isn’t the only thing on the agenda for this festival
though. There will be bicycle stunt shows, a Carnival and Lumberjack Show; to
list a few. The festival starts at 8:30 a.m.

Halloween is almost here, so why not celebrate with some pumpkin carving and headless horsemen
carriage rides? This 2-year-old festival in Grover, NC is certainly looking
to make its way into the top ranks for NC festivals. Your family will have the
chance to trick-or-treat safely, pick and carve a pumpkin as well as partake in
costume contests. Make sure you grab your costumes and frightful spirits for
this community celebration which begins at Noon.